Common Name: Wild Sweetsop

General Information

Annona mucosa is an evergreen tree with a low, dense crown that usually grows around 10 - 20 metres tall, occasionally reaching 25 metres. The bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild for its excellent fruit, and also supplies medicines, wood and other commodities for local use. It is said to be the most popular fruit of western Amazonia and is cultivated for this fruit in some areas of the tropics[]. The fruit is sold in some local markets, where they are known as Fructa da Condessa[]. It is said to be one of the most promising of the unusual fruits being cultivated in Australia[].
Annona mucosa has a very large range and is not facing any significant threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Lowland humid limestone forest from sea level to around 600 metres[]. Found mainly in the more open areas of secondary growth[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Beetles, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Annona mucosa is a plant of the hot, humid, tropical lowlands[]. Plants are very susceptible to frost damage[].
Prefers a fertile, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[].
A fast-growing tree[].
Plants can commence bearing fruit when about 4 years old[].
The roots are aromatic[].
The leaves, when bruised, give off an unpleasant smell[].
Plants are becoming threatened in the wild due to deforestation[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Of excellent quality[]. The yellow fruits have a juicy, melting flesh of a very pleasant flavour, reminiscent of lemon meringue pie[]. Delicious[]. Usually eaten raw, they can also be used in ice cream, pies, cakes etc[]. The fermented fruit is used to make a beverage[]. The yellow to brown, globose to depressed ovois, compound fruit can be up to 20cm long and 15cm wide[, composed of up to 150 carpels each containing a large seed307, ].

Medicinal

The leaves are utilized in folk medicine as a treatment against rheumatism[, ].

The powdered seeds are said to be an efficient means of combatting intestinal problems[].
The powdered seeds are used as a treatment for head lice[].

Other Uses

The barkcan be used for cordage. It is easily torn off the trunk in long, strong bands suitable for binding and transporting[].

The seeds are very hard. They are used as beads in necklaces and bracelets[, , ].

The seeds are used as an insecticide[].

The yellowish wood is medium-textured, straight grained, heavy in one report[], but light in another[], hard and strong[, ]. It has poor mechanical properties and is not durable[]. It is used for small constructions, making boxes and linings[, ].

Propagation

The seed of many species in this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected from treated seeds[]. When the seedlings are 6 - 8cm tall, pot them up into individual containers[].
Layering.
Grafting.

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